The Hidden Benefits Of Lifting Weights In Midlife

Not an “exercise person”? Me neither — until I hit perimenopause with ADHD

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Until last year, I’d never stepped foot in a gym.

In my 44 years on this planet, I’d never touched a pull-up bar. I didn’t know what a deadlift felt like. I’d never done a hip thrust or a lateral raise.

So when I signed up for a gym membership, my friends were genuinely surprised.

The importance of structured exercise

I never really thought about the importance of structured exercise until I hit my 40s.

For most of my life, I’ve kept a fairly active lifestyle. I didn’t have access to a car for much of my 20s, so I walked everywhere by default. Then came the toddler-chasing years, followed by daily dog walks.

I was always on the move — but never in a gym, and never with a structured plan.

It was only when I entered my 40s that things began to shift. I suddenly started to feel like I couldn’t manage my life.

Soon after I turned 40, I felt that I was constantly losing track of time, forgetting important things, and feeling overwhelmed.